European Parliament invites Snowden to testify

Edward Snowden, displayed on television screens, asks a question to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a nationally televised question-and-answer session, in Moscow, Thursday, April 17, 2014. Speaking in a televised call-in show with the nation, Putin harshly criticized the West for trying to pull Ukraine into its orbit and said that people in eastern Ukraine have risen against the authorities in Kiev, who ignored their rights and legitimate demands. Putin also took a video question from National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, whom Russia granted asylum last year. Asked by Snowden about Russia's surveillance programs, Putin said that Russian special services also tap on communications in their fight against terrorism, but don't do it on such a massive scale as the U.S. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

BRUSSELS (AP) — A European Parliament committee has invited Edward Snowden to testify via video link in its investigation of U.S. surveillance practices.

The Justice and Civil Liberties Committee on Thursday voted 36-2 with one abstention to seek testimony from the former National Security Agency contractor, who has exposed the reach of the United States' secret surveillance apparatus.

No date has been proposed and it was not immediately clear if Snowden would accept the invitation.

The lawmakers' investigation is aimed at drafting policy recommendations to better protect European citizens' privacy and improve the EU institutions' IT security.

Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Moscow following his revelations, which have prompted a global debate over the limits of surveillance and the value of privacy.